Curtis Leskanic: Former pro baseball pitcher arrested on DUI charge

Curtis Leskanic also faces a charge of child neglect

Former Major League pitcher Curtis John Leskanic faces charges… (Seminole County jail )

September 15, 2011|By Gary Taylor, Orlando Sentinel

Former Major League pitcher Curtis John Leskanic faces charges of driving under the influence and child neglect without harm following his arrest this week in Altamonte Springs.

Leskanic, 44, who lives on Alaqua Drive in west Seminole County, had a blood-alcohol level of .331, more than four times the legal limit of .08, according to an arrest affidavit. The level was so high that he had to be checked out at a hospital before being booked into the Seminole County Jail.

He was found passed out at the wheel of his pickup truck on State Road 436 at Ronald Regan Boulevard with his 5-year-old daughter asleep, and unrestrained, in the truck, according to the report. Police said the child was given to a family member.

In 11 seasons with Colorado, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Boston, Leskanic had a 50-34 won-loss record. His final season was 2004, when he pitched for the World Series champion Red Sox.

According to the arrest report:

Police received a call about 7:30 p.m. Monday about a pickup truck "swerving all over the road" with information that the driver's daughter was in the vehicle.

As an officer drove east on State Road 434 toward Ronald Regan Boulevard, he noticed a truck stopped in the roadway, even through the traffic light at the intersection was green.

It took two attempts to awaken Leskanic, who was "hunched over as if he was sleeping."

The first time the officer asked Leskanic for his drivers license, the man handed over his scout identification card from Major League Baseball.

Leskanic failed a series of roadside sobriety tests.

Once he was placed under arrest he became agitated and started screaming.

In DUI cases, two blood-alcohol tests are normally performed, but Leskanic refused to take a second test.

In the trip from the jail to South Seminole Hospital and back, Leskanic was swearing and exhibiting hostile behavior.